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Posts for: November, 2017

Do you feel as though your smile hinders your first impressions, making you feel as though your appearance is sub-par due to your misaligned teeth? If so, orthodontic treatment could be for you. Invisalign, while a different approach to orthodontics, is an effective way of straightening your teeth and correcting problems with your bite. Find out more about Invisalign and what it can do for you with Dr. Michael Wright, Dr. Treva Willis, and Dr. Maria Wright at Smile Design Studio of Bethesda in Bethesda, MD.

Is Invisalign right for me?
Invisalign works best in patients ages 12 and older who have misaligned teeth or issues with their bite, or the way their top and bottom jaws fit together. Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign does not require that patients wear visible brackets and wires on their teeth during treatment. Instead, Invisalign’s removable, clear aligner trays move the teeth to their new positions. Since the trays are removable, the treatment requires a strong commitment to wearing the trays for the allotted amount of time a day.

How does Invisalign compare to traditional metal braces?
The biggest difference between Invisalign and traditional braces is that Invisalign is not permanently affixed to the teeth. This means that eating and brushing are the same as before your orthodontic treatment and does not require any special steps like threading floss or water picks to go through or around the brackets. Additionally, patients with traditional braces need to avoid certain foods like popcorn or chewy foods to ensure their brackets and wires remain safe and free from damage. Invisalign patients can simply remove their trays to eat the foods they love.

Invisalign Treatment in Bethesda, MD
The Invisalign process begins with a consultation where your dentist will take a model of your mouth. The model will serve as a basis for the design of your aligner trays. Before creating your trays, Invisalign’s laboratories will send a video showing you the exact route on which your teeth will move during treatment, even allowing you to see your final results. After approval, your completed trays will return to your dentist’s office. Patients wear the trays one after another until the end of the series, then wear a retainer for an allotted amount of time after their treatment to ensure their teeth stay in their correct positions.